Hoover Dam

Hoover Dam was a very unique experience.  We actually had a brief photo stop while on the way to the Grand Canyon the day before-that explains two different outfits at the same place!  I had to get back early for the beginning of my conference, so we enjoyed a quick tour of the dam. I left with great respect for those that built this dam.  It was truly a remarkable feat!




The walls are huge.  Reed said that the terrain reminded him of a strip mine.

We journeyed down to learn about how the dam works.

We were assured that the water coming through the walls wasn't leakage, but rather "seepage". Not too sure what the difference is..................



Cheese!

The water in the dam is way down.  Check out those water lines.

There is a walkway that runs beside the Pat Tillman bridge.  It's 935 feet above the dam.  Guess who walked out in it??

That would be Reed.....

And me!!! I didn't look over the edge, but I did venture out.  Did I mention that it's 935 feet down?

On one side of the dam, you are in Nevada.  You can walk about 100 feet and be in Arizona.

A few pictures of the dam.........

Beautiful!!

Best traveling buddy ever!!

Next up, Vegas!!!

The Grand Canyon

Life is as grand as you make it! 

Reed and I just returned from a six day trip to Las Vegas.  I was attending a conference, so Reed got to tour a lot more than I did.  I am going to break this trip into three posts.  We went a couple of days early to tour the Grand Canyon and the Hoover Dam, and I just think they deserve a post of their on.  They were also by far my favorite parts of the trip. Lots and lots of pictures, because this is something we probably won't ever do again!!

This skywalk is built 70 feet out over the West Rim of the canyon.  It is 4000 feet to the bottom, and has glass walls and a glass floor! If you know me at all, you know that I am terrified of heights!  I truly wanted to conquer this fear and venture out.    I closed my eyes, and very, very slowly went out about 10 feet with a death grip on the rail, and then slowly, slowly scooted back and waited on Reed!  I just could not do it!!!

Reed handled it like a boss!! (Thankfully, they had professional photographers to capture this part!)

Simply beautiful and quite majestic!

I handled the walk around the Indian village just fine!

But this is as close as I could get to the edge!

It's hard to capture just how special this place is to visit.  We came across an episode of "Gunsmoke" while there, and the terrain was just like this!  Those cowboys and Indians were pretty tough!

Reed decided to do a helicopter tour to get up close and personal with the Canyon.  He thoroughly enjoyed it, but did say that when the helicopter suddenly dropped over the rim, his heart rate picked up quite a bit!!

Just amazing!

The Colorado River

Next up, the Hoover Dam which was just as fascinating in its own way!  I am happy to say, I did much better there!

Pickles

Pop and I are packed and ready to leave for an adventure tomorrow for a few days.  We haven't gotten to see the kiddos in over a week.........Maddie has been super sick with the flu and borderline pneumonia.  We are hoping she will have perked up and be back to her normal sweet self when we return.  Lillian has avoided the flu bug so far, and we hope that continues.

I "borrowed" this picture from Reed's school site.  Meet "Pickles" the clown!

We sure do love this stinker and his sweet sisters!  And John Sawyer will be here before we know it!

Look out Vegas here we come!

Another Special Shower

Daddy's boy and mama's world............

Once again we got to celebrate John Sawyer this weekend.  We are all eagerly awaiting his arrival.  His room is beautifully furnished, and they have already received so many special things.  Now, we will wait and make plans to snuggle, pamper and maybe spoil him just a little, beginning just as soon as he arrives.  Lindsey told me this week that I couldn't visit everyday........I promise I  won't, but Pop and I do plan to sneak in as many hugs as his mom and dad will allow! I also can't wait to see Maddie, Lillian and Reed with him.  They are so excited.  He will also have sweet William to grow up with!  So much fun awaits!

Our sweet mom to be!

Taylor and her mom

 And her Nana

Nana, Mom and Tamma

Taylor and Memaw (She reminds me so much of my grandmother, and that's a very good thing.)

The moms, grandmothers, and great grandmothers 

Taylor and Haleigh-Haleigh is due in just a couple of weeks.

Aunt Sandra, Brandy and Grace watching her open presents.

Taylor's sweet cousin Savannah

Such a fun group!

William and Tamma-A grandchild fills a special place in your heart that you never knew was empty.

 John Sawyer got so many precious gifts!

 How sweet is this?

 The best hostess ever!  My pictures don't do justice to her beautiful home!

Something magical happens when you become grandparents!  But it's also pretty magical watching your children become parents.  I have loved experiencing it with Lindsey and Josh, and can't wait for Caleb and Taylor to become parents. My best advice would be to take it all in and enjoy the journey!  It's amazing how fast time flies! Wasn't it just yesterday that Lindsey and Caleb were born?